A major project described as Stockport’s single most important strategic highway connection has been completed by GRAHAM. The £8m Travis Brow Link Road creates a vital link between the A6 and M60 in Stockport town centre. It’s part of Stockport Council’s £73m Town Centre Access Plan, which will improve access
Having gained considerable momentum over the past few years, modular construction makes up 60-70% of the offsite manufacturing sector and reduces build times by an impressive 50-60%. At the forefront of offsite approaches, volumetric modular methods have a remarkable impact on reducing costs while increasing quality and safety measures in
Willmott Dixon is to continue delivering significant projects across Oxfordshire with its appointment to the University of Oxford’s £1.5bn framework, contributing to the university’s ambitious estate plans. Willmott Dixon has delivered significant projects across Oxfordshire including the RAL Space facility at the Harwell Science Campus and numerous residential projects for
Castle Building Services (Castle) has been awarded a contract for a new £9.8 million state-of-the-art healthcare facility in York. Working on behalf of principal contractor, Kier Construction, Castle has been appointed to provide a full range of mechanical, electrical and plumbing services on a new seven-suite endoscopy facility for York
It must be every architect’s dream to get a casino commission, the chance to pull out all the stops and go seriously overboard. Because what says opulence like a casino? Well, that may have been the case in times past, but like all creatives, architects like to push boundaries. These
The biggest road upgrade scheme in the UK has been recognised with the highest honour at this year’s Considerate Constructors Scheme’s National Ultra Site Awards. The joint venture from Costain, Balfour Beatty and Skanska for Highways England, won the coveted ‘2019 Ultra Site of the Year Award’. The project, which
A major project described as Stockport’s single most important strategic highway connection has been completed by GRAHAM. The £8m Travis Brow Link Road creates a vital link between the A6 and M60 in Stockport town centre. It’s part of Stockport Council’s £73m Town Centre Access Plan, which will improve access into and around the centre, by easing congestion and improving transport links. GRAHAM’S work has been recognised, with the scheme named ‘Project of the Year’ at the 2019 Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation (CIHT) North West Awards. Leo Martin, Executive Director at GRAHAM, said: “This has been a really successful project and our teams have worked incredibly hard on a scheme which benefits millions of people who will use this link road. “It forms a key part of an extensive access plan for Stockport town centre. High-levels of expertise were required in order to complete the work – especially when you take into consideration the Grade II listed viaduct and tunnel. “Our work has been praised for meeting the key objectives of achieving best value, minimising disruption and efficient delivery.” GRAHAM was appointed through the Highways England CDF Lot 2 Framework. The project didn’t come without its challenges, with innovation required to support the exposed rock face beneath the Viaduct foundations, whilst also restricting movements to negligible level during the construction phase. Pre-stressed rock anchors were utilised with a near vertical hard shotcrete facing. The retaining structure was then covered in mass concrete, to protect against vehicle impact and corrosion. Output and benefits Impact: Our collaborative design and construction effort reduced the overall project costs for SMBC, while providing a visually improved overall landscaped scheme. Bridge strikes: Our work has helped to reduce bridge strikes on George’s Road where regular strikes had previously caused significant disruption to the road and rail networks. Segregated pedestrian and cycle lanes: These have created an important east-west local sustainable transport link north of the town centre. Engineering fill: 10,000 tonnes of excavated brickwork were recycled by crushing and turned into engineered fill for the construction of the embankments and temporary works piling. Collaboration: Our construction methodology was designed to enable a key road (providing access to B&Q and Decathlon) to be opened at weekends in recognition of busy retail trading.
Having gained considerable momentum over the past few years, modular construction makes up 60-70% of the offsite manufacturing sector and reduces build times by an impressive 50-60%. At the forefront of offsite approaches, volumetric modular methods have a remarkable impact on reducing costs while increasing quality and safety measures in the construction arena. Modern methods of construction are making headway following the announcement that the government would adopt a presumption in favour of offsite construction for all public sector building projects. As offsite construction is rapidly becoming the preferred delivery model, it is important that volumetric modular building technology is considered for all areas of construction. Although housebuilding gains a lot of media and industry attention – modular solutions are also widely used in the healthcare and education sectors. What are the Benefits of Modular Construction? Modular building is revolutionising the construction industry. While traditional build processes are laced with pitfalls, hidden costs and are highly disruptive – volumetric modular buildings are easy to plan, budget, and are quick to erect, as most of the work takes place in factory-controlled conditions. Modular technology brings a host of benefits to the construction industry, contributing to healthier, safer and more cost-efficient environments. •A step forward for productivity in construction, the prefabrication of units leads to shorter build times, which, by extension, leads to net savings of around 7%. •Each material is selected specifically for its performance characteristics, ensuring it is suited to its industry use in every way. •The modular industry operates an environmental approach, using sustainable building materials and recycling waste for future projects where possible. •Components are available in a range of sizes to expand facilities whenever necessary. •Modular constructions can have unlimited floor space. •Modular buildings can be customised to blend in with any surrounding – they are designed to be adaptable and meet clients’ specific requirements. •Interiors can be designed and refurbished to meet exacting requirements, using internal and external finishes. •Modular construction enables site work and building processes to be completed simultaneously, reducing labour costs. •Pre-fabrication relieves the constraints of weather dependence, meaning that materials remain in ultimate quality and efficiency is improved. •Pre-constructed, self-contained units can be easily transported to virtually any location, providing quick solutions for new buildings. •Modules are designed to withstand long-distance transportation and craning onto foundations, meaning that they are stronger than traditionally constructed buildings. •Pre-engineered units are transported to construction sites in varying levels of completeness: from empty shells to complete rooms with facilities. •All facilities can be achieved on a permanent or temporary hire basis. Rental units can also be provided as an interim measure while permanent units are procured. Meet the Modular Experts at Offsite Expo on Stand B5 As the single recognised voice for promoting and marketing members’ products and services, the Modular and Portable Building Association (MPBA) is a silver sponsor for the inaugural Offsite Expo, taking place on 24-25 September at the Ricoh Arena, Coventry. Not only will the exhibition host a Buyers and Specifiers Forum for over 100 VIP buyers, a summit representing 28 countries and 100 world-class exhibitions, delegates will also have access to over 40 masterclasses to learn from leading offsite specialists. Chaired by the MPBA’s Technical Director Andy King, the Modular and Volumetric Sessions will feature insights and guidance from multiple experts, including: Ben Drake – Associate Structural Engineer, Peter Dann: Ben will provide a structural engineer’s perspective on how to optimise for offsite by implementing DfMA principles during the early stages of planning. Nick Griffin – General Manager, Portakabin: Nick will talk you through a widely acclaimed case study on Royal Stoke University Hospital. Volumetric modular technology made the build of this 64-bed ward possible in under four months. Patrick Hayes – Head of Structures and Offsite Construction, Greenwich Scheme: Patrick will be running a case study on the Essential Living Greenwich Scheme, exploring how early engagement with modular suppliers in the building design process improves modular integration. There is still time to book one of the final places for Offsite Expo. Entry is free of charge and tickets available at www.offsite-expo.co.uk About MPBA The MPBA plays a key role in the connecting of sectors in the modular and portable building industry. The association collaborates with specialist technical advisors to enhance innovation in the design and manufacture of modular buildings. These can be designed and manufactured from timber, steel or concrete, in any size and shape to meet individual client needs while ensuring full compliance with building regulations. To discover how modular building can benefit your offsite construction plans go to: www.mpba.biz
Willmott Dixon is to continue delivering significant projects across Oxfordshire with its appointment to the University of Oxford’s £1.5bn framework, contributing to the university’s ambitious estate plans. Willmott Dixon has delivered significant projects across Oxfordshire including the RAL Space facility at the Harwell Science Campus and numerous residential projects for Oxford City Council. Now, through the framework, the contractor will be delivering projects for the university with a value between £5m to £20m alongside other contractors. Projects on the framework will include a mixture of new developments and the refurbishment of some of the university’s existing 237 buildings. A quarter of these are listed assets, with a third built before 1840. Director at Willmott Dixon, David McCallion, who will be leading projects on the framework, said: “We have a number of offices nationally and are proud to be based in Oxford as the local area is steeped in a rich history and continues to be at the heart of state-of-the-art research. We are currently working with Oxford Children’s Hospital to relocate and expand Ronald McDonald House and expect to complete this project next year. “This appointment marks a significant milestone for us and we are delighted to be building a strong relationship with University of Oxford. My team and I are looking forward to delivering high quality, future-proof facilities for the university.” Community engagement plays a large role in all of Willmott Dixon’s projects, which has recently being awarded the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in the category of Promoting Opportunity. As part of the framework the company is committed to 10% social return on investment as measured against total contract value, meaning it is able to make a tangible impact on the lives of local people. Similarly, Willmott Dixon worked closely with Oxford UTC last year as part of its Enrichment Programme, which is designed to develop student’s personal and professional skills including communication, teamwork, problem solving and leadership. As part of Willmott Dixon’s involvement on the framework, it hopes to widen participation in Oxfordshire.
Castle Building Services (Castle) has been awarded a contract for a new £9.8 million state-of-the-art healthcare facility in York. Working on behalf of principal contractor, Kier Construction, Castle has been appointed to provide a full range of mechanical, electrical and plumbing services on a new seven-suite endoscopy facility for York Teaching Hospital NHS Trust Foundation under the NHS P21Framework. The facility will also include recovery areas, interview-discharge rooms, offices and a plant room as well as ancillary spaces. The two storey endoscopy facility is currently being constructed on top of an existing physiotherapy unit and adjacent to the neurosciences and renal departments. For that reason, it is a logistically challenging scheme to deliver. While working on the project, Castle will face several challenges, not least those associated with working on a live hospital site. To overcome this, the contractor will work closely with the Trust, its stakeholders and Kier Construction’s site team to ensure minimum disruption to patients, clinical staff and visitors. Further to the general building services, the unit requires specialised services to support its clinical function including uninterruptible power supplies and isolated power supplies as well as medical gas installations. Castle is currently working at pre-construction stage and will commence on site in July. The schedule of works is expected to last approximately 40 weeks, with the contractor expected to handover in the second quarter of 2019. Speaking about this latest contract win, Castle’s commercial director, Andrew Dawson said: “I’m delighted to announce the news of our appointment to such a prestigious scheme for York Hospital. Our previous experience of working in a clinical environment will stand us in good stead on this project. “We will be working closely with Kier’s team and other project partners to ensure we achieve all our key milestones on the project to bring it in on time and budget, ready to serve the people of York and the surrounding areas who need the vital services provided by the Endoscopy Unit.” With demand for endoscopy services set to rise on the back of the expansion of the NHS Bowel screening programme, the new unit will give York Hospital the extra capacity to meet that demand. It will also enhance the design of the department and provide patients with an improved experience when attending appointments. Kier Construction’s Senior Project Manager, Andrew Clarkson, added: “We’re looking forward to delivering this scheme and we’ll be working closely with the Trust to carry out these works whilst ensuring the hospital can continue to operate effectively on a daily basis. “This will ensure that everyone involved is working towards the same goals to bring the scheme to a successful conclusion.” Patrick Crowley, Chief Executive, York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust said: “This is the biggest capital investment for many years and will allow the Trust to provide clinical services to a growing number of patients needing endoscopy. “This is an exciting development for the Trust and it will transform our service into a centre of excellence for endoscopy, providing enhanced high quality care to our patients.”
It must be every architect’s dream to get a casino commission, the chance to pull out all the stops and go seriously overboard. Because what says opulence like a casino? Well, that may have been the case in times past, but like all creatives, architects like to push boundaries. These days modern casino architecture encompasses all kinds of styles. Here we present six of the most decadent, iconic and intriguing casino buildings in the world today. From classic to ultra-modern, these are some of the most eye-catching and inspiring structures in the world. Casino JOA du Lac du Der, Giffaumont-Champaubert, France The first of our contemporary land based casinos, Casino JOA on the shores of Lac du Der in the north of France could not be more different to the classic designs of Vegas and Monte Carlo. The unassuming structure was designed to blend in with the natural beauty of the area, and in fact from a distance it almost disappears from view. Although it has reasonably good reviews, this is not necessarily a casino to visit as a destination in the same way as some of the more over the top buildings. Probably wiser to stay home and try some online gaming instead – look here for more on new UK online casinos and why playing from your own living room might be your best option. Casino de Monte-Carlo, Monte Carlo, Monaco Starting with a true classic, this is perhaps the archetype of the lavish casino architecture. Unlike the structures in resorts like Las Vegas, this building has been in existence since the late 19th century. It was designed and built as a casino, and although it has undergone some redesigns it retains its period charm and elegance. It’s also a very important establishment for Monaco; for many years it was the main source of revenue for the tiny principality. The Venetian, Las Vegas/Macau These sister resorts represent the height of casino architecture dramatics, with both sites featuring full-size replicas of Venice landmarks, including the Rialto Bridge and the Piazza San Marco. No expense was spared in the construction of this bona fide architectural wonder – the cost of the Vegas resort was estimated at $1.5 billion. And with a Grand Canal holding over three million litres of water and a hand-laid marble floor in the Venetian Colonnade, it’s easy to believe the expense. The Macau iteration also holds the title of the world’s largest casino, and the seventh largest building in the world by floor area. Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, United States The last of our classics is probably the most recognisable casino building in existence. Based on an old-school Hollywood version of Greco-Roman architecture, this 1966 building features casino decorations of marble columns, water features and statues – including an identical life-size replica of Michelangelo’s David. Such is the iconic status of Caesars, that it has featured as a location for several movies including Iron Man, Ocean’s Eleven and The Hangover. Morpheus Hotel, Macau, China Not strictly a casino, but the hotel in Macau’s City of Dreams resort, this intriguing structure was designed by Zaha Hadid Architects and completed in 2018. The building combines the striking and imposing tradition of casino buildings with an ultra-modern aesthetic. A monolithic 42-storey edifice with a twining exoskeleton, the hotel strikes a dramatic pose on the skyline. The interior boasts grand, kaleidoscopic spaces where guests can relax and enjoy their stay. You can visit W88 for the online experience and see more. Casino de Montréal, Quebec, Canada This is not an entirely modern casino, as it was partly created from two buildings that were part of the city’s Expo 67. This took place just a year after Caesars Palace opened its doors, but the design could not be more different. The original pavilions were futuristic concrete, glass and steel constructions housing exhibition spaces for the expo. The buildings were later converted and extended into what is now the Casino de Montréal, and the current structure has been changed significantly while still retaining a retro-futuristic feel. The latest phase of renovation was completed in 2016, and today this is the country’s largest casino. The interior of the former Quebec Pavilion is now an airy, open-plan space on several levels, converging round a circular central column. The effect is reminiscent of the HQ of a top-secret organisation from a big-budget Hollywood movie, or perhaps a lavish science museum.
The biggest road upgrade scheme in the UK has been recognised with the highest honour at this year’s Considerate Constructors Scheme’s National Ultra Site Awards. The joint venture from Costain, Balfour Beatty and Skanska for Highways England, won the coveted ‘2019 Ultra Site of the Year Award’. The project, which is upgrading a 21-mile section of the major road between Cambridge and Huntingdon and will cut journey times by up to 20 minutes, has been recognised for its top-performance against the Scheme’s Code of Considerate Practice. The Scheme aims to raise standards of how considerate a construction site, company and supplier is across a variety of aspects, covering topics including environment impacted, how it looks after its workforce and supply chain involved in delivering the project and how it tries to limit the impact of its work on those around it. The aim of Ultra Sites is to achieve ever greater integration of a contractor’s supply chain to meet and exceed the Scheme’s Code of Considerate Practice. Being the highest level of attainment in consideration and best practice, they are the pinnacle of excellence across the construction industry. The project also triumphed, winning this year’s ‘Collaboration Award’ and the ‘Fairness, Inclusion and Respect Award’. Both award categories recognise the outstanding efforts the site’s team has made in creating a truly collaborative supply chain and one which has created a fair and inclusive environment in which everyone feels their role is integral to the success of the project. Pam Hobson, Stakeholder Director at the A14 Integrated Delivery Team said: “We put the spirit of the Considerate Constructors Scheme into everything we do, inspiring people along the way and opening their eyes about what, as an industry, we really have to offer. “Ultra Sites are setting exceptional standards and positively influencing the whole construction industry. The A14 was the first road project to be accredited as an Ultra Site, and to be recognised as the best is very special indeed.” Considerate Constructors Scheme Chief Executive Edward Hardy said: “Ultra Sites represent a real turning point for the construction industry, by providing a way for the industry to work more collaboratively and realise the benefits of this greater integration for their workforce, community and environment.”
